About the Program

The Charleston County SOA Dance Department with an emphasis on both technical mastery and creativity that introduces dancers to a wide array of dance styles they would not get anywhere else. The goal is to provide students with the necessary skills and discipline to be successful as a dancer and a college dance student, focusing on process. The well-rounded curriculum provides the movement, the technical skills, the creativity, and knowledge demanded by college dance programs nationwide. The Dance Department Curriculum is based on the National and SC Dance Standards. SC Dance Standards are posted in the classroom and can be found on the State Department of Education website.

Specific to the HS dance program:

• One of only two National Honor Society for dance Arts in the State of South Carolina

• Annual Trips to the National or Regional High school dance festival

• 4 Guest Residencies per year.

• Master Classes and workshops from visiting artists and companies at the Gilliard center.

• Technical theater training- Lightings, sound, stage manager, props, backstage crew

• Students learn about dance history, dance anatomy, injury prevention, careers in dance, dance college and universities, cultural dance forms, composition, elements of dance, dance analysis, dance for camera.  

Performance opportunities in HS: 

• Student Choreography Showcase

• Dancing with the Teachers 

• Convocations

• 2 Junior Composition performances (one in the fall one in the spring) 

• 2 Senior Thesis Performances (one in the fall one in the spring) 

• 2 Senior Thesis Adjudications (one in the fall one in the spring) 

• Senior Perform at Graduation ceremony 

•  Regional/ National HS dance festival

• SOA Spring Open house

• Winter Dance Showcase

• School Musical 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQufSHzoXLE  Dance in CCSD schools